Method for ablating tissue to facilitate implantation and apparatus and kit for use therewith

Abstract

A method for treating a mammalian body having tissue comprising creating a cavity in the tissue formed by an internal surface of the tissue. The internal surface is ablated. An implant-forming material is introduced into the cavity to create an implant in the tissue. The ablation of the internal surface inhibits migration of the implant. An apparatus and kit for use with the method are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for treating a mammalian body having tissue comprising:
 creating, via blunt dissection, a new cavity in the tissue formed by an internal surface of the tissue by inserting a distal extremity of a flexible elongate member into the tissue; 
 ablating, via an ablation element, the internal surface; and 
 introducing, via the flexible elongate member, an implant-forming material into the cavity to create an implant in the tissue whereby the ablation of the internal surface inhibits migration of the implant from the cavity into adjoining tissue. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the creating step includes the step of dissecting the tissue via an incising element by moving the incising element within the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member between an extended position in which the incising element projects distally from a distal extremity of the flexible elongate member for introducing a rounded distal end of the flexible elongate member and an expandable-collapsible body to a target position and a retracted position permitting use of the rounded distal end for blunt dissection. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the ablating step includes utilizing the expandable-collapsible body to ablate the tissue. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the ablating step includes energizing conductive pathways on a surface of the expandable-collapsible body. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the ablating step includes energizing a conductive coating on a surface of the expandable-collapsible body. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the expandable-collapsible body is inflated with a conductive material and the ablating step includes weeping the conductive material from the expandable-collapsible body. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the ablating step includes energizing an electrode within the expandable-collapsible body to couple radio frequency energy to the conductive material. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the creating step includes introducing the incising element into tissue of a wall of the body, forming a natural body cavity in the body. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the creating step includes introducing the distal extremity into a natural body opening to access the natural body cavity. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the creating step includes providing a lumen within the flexible elongate member which extends to and opens at the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member and sliding the incising element through the lumen to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member.